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I was very pleased to see this new article about the use of Self Administered SPG Blocks for the treatment of Head and Neck Cancer. Self-administration or administration of SphenoPalatine Ganglion Blocks at home is improving the quality of life by alleviating cancer pain at home not just in medical settings.

Before examining the actual paper I would like to mention what is new in pain management and dentistry in India.

I have had the priviledge of having several Impressive Indian doctors attend my lectures both in the US and in Buenos Aires over the last few years. Dr Rajesh Raveendranathan is an ICCMO member responsible for bringing Neuromuscular Dentistry to India. They are members of ICCMO (www.iccmo.org) and practice Neuromuscular Dentistry. Raj has created a chapter of ICCMO in India. India will become a Mecca of medical tourism from Eastern Europe, Asia and Africa as the sope of his practices becomes known.

Neuromuscular Dentists who utilize the Myomonitor are extremely successful in treating orofacial pain and TMJ disorders. The Myomonitor has safely been providing electrical stimulation to the SphenoPalatine Ganglion for over 50 years and has helped many neuromuscular dentists achieve excellent results in alleviating a wide variety of head and neck pain and dysfunction including chronic daily headaches, migraines, cluster headaches, hemicrania continua, facial pain, eye pain, retro-orbital pain, ear pain, sinus pain, Orofacial pain syndromes, TMJ (TMD) disorders as well as help alleviate neck and shoulder pain thru postural corrections.

I will make comments throughout this page. My comments will be in all capital letters.

Home-based Application of Sphenopalatine Ganglion Block for Head and Neck Cancer Pain Management

Abstract

Background:

Head and neck cancer pain is intractable and difficult to manage. Many a times it is difficult to treat with oral opioids and adjuvants. THE REASOM THESE PAIN ARE SO DIFFICULT TO MANAGE IS THE TRIGENINAL NERVOUS SYSTEM’S INCREDIBLY LARGE INPUT INTO THE BRAIN AND LIMBIC SYSTEM.

Aim:

This study aims to study the effects of transnasal sphenopalatine ganglion block (SPGB), administered using cotton swab/ear bud by patients’ caretaker, at home, for pain management. I HAVE BEEN TEACH SELF ADMINISTRATION BY PATIENTS FOR PAIN PATIENTS. IF THEY ARE UNABLE TO DO IT THEMSELVES HAVING CARE GIVERS ADMINISTER SPG BLOCKS IS STILL AN EXCELLENT APPROACH

Study Design:

This is a prospective, single-arm observational study conducted on 100 head and neck cancer patients, from January 2014 to December 2015. Patients and caretaker were given a demonstration of the procedure using sterile cotton swab/ear buds. They were advised to repeat the procedure when their visual analog score (VAS) was more than 5. They continued with the oral analgesics. They kept the records of pre- and post-procedure pain score (VAS), the frequency of repetition, ease of performance of procedure, and morphine requirement. A paired t-test (SPSS software) was used for statistical analysis.

IN MY EXPERIENCE INCREASING THE FREQUENCY OF THE BLOCKS WITHOUT WAITING FOR INTENSITY OF PAIN TO INCREASE IS MORE ADVANTAGEOUS. I WILL HAVE PATIENTS SELF ADMINISTER TWICE DAILY TO TRY TO REDUCE OR ELIMINATE PAIN AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

Results:

A significant reduction in pain was noted by a decrease in mean VAS from 8.57 ± 1.31 to 2.46 ± 1.23 (P < 0.0001), immediately on first administration. The mean duration of analgesia was 4.95 ± 3.43 days. Pre- and post-procedure mean morphine requirement were 128.2 ± 84.64 and 133.8 ± 81.93 (P > 0.05) mg per day, at the end of 2 months. Ease of performance was observed in 88 patients. THESE RESULTS ARE AMAZING WITH THE FIRST DOSE ELIMINATING OVER 50% OF THE PAIN….IMMEDIATELY. THIS IS AN ENORMOUS SERVICE!

Conclusion:

The home-based application of SPGB is an easy, safe, and cost-effective method to manage cancer pain. It provides excellent immediate pain relief with a minimum side effect. It can be performed bilaterally, repeatedly and even with a feeding tube in place. SPG BLOCKS ARE “easy, safe, and cost-effective method to manage cancer pain.” THIS ONE PHRASE DESCRIBES THE UTILITY OF THE BLOCKS.

Introduction

Head and neck cancers are common cancers, with a prevalence rate of 57.5% in India. It accounts for 30% of all cancers in India.[1] Due to high consumption of tobacco, these types of cancers are significantly prevalent in Gujarat. Pain[2] in patients with head and neck cancer is most frequent symptom; it is severe, intractable and sometimes difficult to treat with pharmacological therapy. Hence, the need for intervention rises.[3] THE DESCRIPTION OF SEVERE INTRACTABLE PAIN BRINGS REAL MEANIG TO THE IMMEDIATE RELIEF SPG BLOCKS PROVIDE.

Sphenopalatine ganglion is one of the four ganglion in head and neck area, situated in pterygopalatine fossa found outside the cranium.[4,5] THE SPHENOPALATINE GANGLION IS THE LARGERST PARASYMPATHETIC GANGLION OF THE HEAD AND HAS SYMPATHETIC FIBERS FROM SUPERIOR CERVICAL GANGLIO RUNNING THRU IT. It is mainly a parasympathetic ganglion and is exposed to the environment through our nasal cavity. Science has proved that sphenopalatine ganglion block (SPGB) provides excellent analgesia in various types of acute and chronic orofacial pain.[4,5,6,7] There are various approaches[4,5,6,7,8] described for this procedure, of which transnasal approach using local anesthetic agent is a less invasive, easy and safe method of pain relief but provides temporary analgesia, hence, needs to be performed repeatedly. MANY SEVERE PAIN PATIENTS SEE A CUMULATIVE EFFECT THAT CAN DECREASE OR ELIMINATE PAIN LONG TERM BUT CANCER PAIN THERE IS AN ONGOING INSULT TO THE BODY . INCREASING FREQUENCY CAN VASTLY IMPROVE PATIENTS LIFE QUALITY. Conventional methods of transnasal block require the use of endoscope,[9] image guidance,[10,11,12] or special catheter like Tx360[10] Spinocath, or[11] Allevio.[12] We modified the technique using cotton swab/ear buds so that it can be performed at home. THE THREE DEVICES, THE TX360, THE SPHENOCATH AND THE ALLEVIO ARE DESIGNES SINGLE USE IN THE PHYSICIANS OFFICE OR ER. THEY CAN BE REUSED BY A SINGLE PATIENT BUT ARE DESIGNED FOR SINGLE USE. THE TX360 CANNOT BE REUSED IN ANY FASHION.

We used various devices such as intravenous cannula, cotton swab sticks, and ear buds during our pilot study of SPGB in head and neck cancer pain management on 385 patients at our institute and developed a standard technique using ear buds to be inserted transnasal.

This study was undertaken with the primary aim of providing immediate pain relief to head and neck cancer patients attending our outpatient department (OPD) with moderate to severe pain. It was also aimed to study effects of SPGB, its duration of analgesia, morphine requirement, ease of performance of procedure at home. IT WOULD MAKE SENSE TO ALSO UTILIZE THIS TECHNIQUE FOR MILDER PAINS INSTEAD OF OTHER DRUGS. A SIDE EFFECT OF SPG BLOCKS IS REDUCED ANXIETY AND A SENSE OF WELL BEING. THIS IS A GIFT TO CANCER PATIENTS.

Methods

This was a prospective, single-arm, observational study performed at State Cancer Institute. The study duration was 2 years, i.e., from January 2014 to December 2015 for 100 patients. The study was approved by the Institutional Review Board. Patients were reviewed for detailed history, pain assessment, investigations, and examination including examination of both nostrils. Patients and caretakers were explained the procedure thoroughly. Those who expressed willingness to participate in the study were enrolled in this study, and their written informed consent was obtained.

Inclusion criteria

The inclusion criteria were (1) Patients with moderate to severe pain (visual analog score [VAS] >5). (2) Patient whose pain is not well controlled on oral morphine. (3) Good pain relief with previous SPGB. (4) Patients and caretakers who can comprehend what we explain or understand the procedure demonstration.

THE EXCELLENT RESULT IS ON MODERATE TO SEVERE INTRACTABLE PAIN PATIENTS WHO HAVE ALREADY FAILED TO FIND SIGNIFICANT RELIEF WITH MORPHINE OR OTHER DRUGS. THIS IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE IT SHOWS THIS WAS STUDY DONE ON THE MOST DIFFICULT TO TREAT PAIN.

Exclusion criteria

Patients with bleeding diathesis and/or nasal obstruction, nasopharyngeal growth, carcinoma maxilla, intracranial extension of disease, recent nasal, or sinus surgery were excluded from the study. THESE ARE ALL CONDITIONS THAT COULD MAKE INSERTION OF EAR BUDS DIFFICULT. USE OF AFRIN NASAL SPRAY (oxymetazoline) CAN MAKE IT POSSIBLE TO DO THESE BLOCKS EVEN IN SOME PATIENTS WITH NASAL OBSTRUCTION.

The procedure was performed in the presence of caretaker. The patients were placed in supine position, and their affected side (ipsilateral) of nostril was anesthetized with Lignocaine jelly. After 5 min, a sterile cotton swab stick, soaked in Lignocaine jelly was inserted in anesthetized nostril, in upward and backward direction[13] till resistance was felt or for a maximum of 5 cm. Injection bupivacaine 0.5%, one ml was instilled along the side of stick, so that the drug can reach at the base of the medial turbinate. After 5 min, the stick was redirected upward, lateral, and backward[13] to cover wide area. Again one ml of injection bupivacaine was instilled in a similar fashion. Patients were kept in the same position for 6–8 min. The procedure was demonstrated and explained to caretaker at the same time. We also made the caretaker practice the procedure in our presence [Figure 1]. If they could perform it easily, then they were allowed to perform the procedure at home. For preparing a cotton swab at home, ear buds were used as shown in [Figure 2].

THIS PROCEDURE IS VERY SUCCESSFUL AND THE USE OF LIDOCAINE JELLY ELIMINATES DISCOMFORT ASSOCIATED WITH INSERTION. THE PROCEDURE I TEACH PATIENTS AND TO DOCTORS WHO TAKE MY COURSES IS SIMILAR BUT USES A HOLLOW COTTON TIPPED CATHETER THAT DELIVERS A CONTINUOUS FEED OF LIDOCAINE FOR AN EXTENDED PERIOD VIA CAPILLARY ACTION. IT DOES NOT REQUIRE A SUPINE POSITION THOUGH BEING SUPINE INCREASES THE FLOW RATE OF LIDOCAINE. I HAVE PATIENTS WHO KEEP THEIR CATHETERS IN FOR BOTH SHORT AND LONG PERIODS DEPENDING ON THEIR SYMPTOMS. ALMOST IMMEDIATE RELIEF IS USUALLY OBTAINED AND ADDITIONAL LIDOCAINE CAN BE ADDED TO FLOOD THE AREA IF PATIENT IS SUPINE. I GENERALLY USE ONLY 2% LIDOCAINE WITHOUT PRESERVATIVES. BUPIVICAINE IS LONGER ACTING BUT CAN BE MORE IRRITATING TO THE TISSUES. OCCASIONALLY SOME PATIENTS ARE GIVEN MARACAINE (BUPIVICAINE) EPINEPHRINE. DUE THEIR SPECIFIC CIRCUMSTANCES.

Caretakers were asked to repeat the procedure at home when patient’s VAS was more than 5. They also maintained a diary for pre- and post-procedure pain score (VAS), frequency of repetition of the procedure and ease of performance, which was described as follows.

Easy = caretaker can insert the ear bud and instilled medicine in the first attempt. THESE PATIENTS ARE ALSO EASY WITH THE TECHNIQUE I TEACH.

Not easy = caretaker can insert the ear bud and instilled medicine in more than two attempts. THESE PATIENTS WILL USUALLY BECOME EASY 20-30 MINUTES AFTER ADMINISTRATION OF AFRIN.

Difficult = Caretaker is not able to insert the ear bud in nostril. THE MOST DIFFICULT CASES CAN SOMETIMES BE POSSIBLE BY USING A COMBINATION OF AFRIN AND THEN A SPRAY OF LIDOCAINE PRIOR TO INSERTTION. THE COTTON TIPS CAN ALSO BE ALTERED FOR EASIER INSERTION. TYPICALL, AFTER TWICE DAILY INSERTION EVEN DIFFICULT NARES BECOME EASIER TO NAVIGATE. PATIENT WHO ARE ABLE TO SELF-ADMINISTER OFTEN FIND THERE IS LESS DISCOMFORT WHEN THEY ARE IN CONTROL.

This was checked during follow-up visits, every 2 weeks, for next 2 months. Immediate pain relief was noted by an immediate reduction in pain score and duration of analgesia was noted by the frequency of repetition of the procedure. All other pharmacological therapy including morphine and adjuvant were continued. The requirement of morphine, side effects, and any untoward effects was noted. Statistical analysis was done using paired t-test using SPSS 20, software (IBM, Armonk, NY, USA). INCREASING THE FREQUENCY OF SPHENOPALATINE GANGLION BLOCKS COULD REDUCE DOSAGE OF MORPHINE NEEDED TO CONTROL PAIN AND SECONDARILY REDUCE SIDE EFFECTS LIKE OPIOD INDUCED CONSTIPATION AND DECREASED GUT MOBILITY THAT INTERFERES WITH NUTRITIONAL ABSORPTION.

Results

A total of hundred patients of head and neck cancer were enrolled in this study. There were 66 males and 34 females. Three patients were excluded from study either due to difficult procedure or due to procedure related complication [Table 1]. THIS IS IMPRESSIVE THAT ONLY 3 PATIENTS WERE EXCLUDED FROM THE STUDY OR 3%..

Immediate pain relief was observed by a reduction in VAS score after the procedure, which was reduced from 8.56 ± 1.05 to 2.46 ± 1.23 (P < 0.0001). The mean duration of analgesia was 4.95 ± 3.43 days, (range 1–7 days). THIS LEVEL OF IMMEDIATE PAIN RELIEF IS AWESOME. TALK TO ANYONE IN PAIN MANAGEMENT FIELD TO APPRECIATE THE VALUE OF THIS PROCEDURE.

WHEN YOU LOOK AT THESE STATISTICS IT BECOMES CLEAR WHY TWICE DAILY ADMINISTRATION IS MEDICALLY INDICATED BASED ON REDUCTION IN MORPHINE. THIS PROTOCOL WAS FOR A STUDY BUT MORE FREQUENT ADMINISTRATION SHOULD DRAMTICALLY IMPROVE RESULTS.

Totally, 42 patients required it to be performed every week, 25 patients, once in 4 days, while 21 patients received SPGB every alternate day [Table 4].

The ease of performance was observed in 88 patients, and it was found to not easy to perform in nine patients. Two patients did not receive SPGB at home as their caretaker found difficulty in administration.

INCREASING BOTH FREQUENCY AND THE TIME OF ADMINISTRATION WILL SERVE TO ENHANCE THESE RESULTS SIGNIFICANTLY.

No serious complications were observed in any patients except giddiness GIDDINESS IS ACTUALLY A SIGN OF PATIIENTS FEELING GOOD, PROBABLY DUE TO DECREASE IN SYMPATHETIC (STRESS) ACTIVITY AND SHOULD BE CONSIDERED POSITIVE EFFECT. I OFTEN SEE SEVERE CHRONIC PAIN PATIENTS BREAK INTO SMILES WHEN THE HEAVY BURDEN OF CONSTANT PAIN IS REMOVED. FAMILY MEMBERS SOMETIMES STATE THE PATIENT IS “BACK TO OLD SEL”. in three patients and temporary numbness in throat in three patients which resulted in temporary difficulty in swallowing. All patients felt the bitter taste of drugs [Table 5]. THE GRADUAL CAPILLARY FLOW HAS LESS BITTER TASTE AND LESS THOAT NUMBNESS.

The cost of the materials used in the procedure is 22 Rs. per procedure. NOT SURE WHAR THIS IS IN US DOLLAR BUT SELF ADMINISTRATION IS LESS THEN $1.00 US DOLLAR FOR BILATERAL ADMINISTRATION WITH THE METHOD I TEACH. IN SPITE OF THIS INCREDIBLY LOW COST INSURANCE COMPANIES ARE NOW REWRITING INSURANCE POLICIES TO DECLARE THE SAFE EFFECTIVE BLOCKS EXPERIMENTAL. BCBS HAS BEEN WRITING NEW POLICIES STATE BY STATE THAT THESE WILL NO LONGER BE COVERED.

Discussion

Although sphenopalatine ganglion[4,5,6,7,8] is considered mainly as a parasympathetic ganglion, it also has sympathetic and sensory innervations. Its parasympathetic preganglionic fibers arise from superior salivatory nucleus of facial nerve in medulla which traverses as a greater petrosal nerve. These parasympathetic fibers along with sympathetic from deep petrosal nerve create nerves to viridian canal and enter sphenopalatine ganglion. The postganglionic parasympathetic fibers supply to nasal gland, palatine gland, and lacrimal gland. The sympathetic fibers projecting to sphenopalatine ganglion arise from upper thoracic spinal cord T1–T2. The postganglionic fibers synapse in superior cervical ganglion. Postganglionic sympathetic fibers from superior cervical ganglion entries in sphenopalatine ganglion via deep pterosal nerve which are an extension of carotid plexus. Superior cervical ganglion is connected with upper cervical nerve roots (C1, C2, and C3) and so cervical ganglion has connection with sphenopalatine ganglion. Sensory innervations of sphenopalatine ganglion are through the maxillary nerve of trigeminal nerve. Hence, the pain from upper cervical and back gets referred to head and facial area and vice versa. This might explain why SPGB would relieve a headache, facial pain, and pain in the neck as well as upper back. SPHENOPALATINE GANGLION BLOCKS OFTEN GIVE AMAZING RELIEF EVEN FOR THE WORST MIGRAINES AND CLUSTER HEADACHES. IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT EVEN THE THE SPHENOPALATINE (PTERYGOPALATINE) GANGLION SITS ON THE MAXILLARY DIVISION OF THE TRIGEMINAL NERVE THE SYMPATHETIC AND PARASYMPATHETIC FIBERS TRAVEL ALONG ALL BRANCHES OF THE TRIGEMINAL DISTRIBUTION ALONG THE THE SOMATOSENSORY NERVES. THE TRIGEMINAL NERVE CONTROLS BLOOD FLOW TO ANTERIOR TWO THIRDS OF THE MENINGES OF THE BRAIN. ALMOST 100% OF ALL HEADACHES AND MIGRAINES ARE TRIGEMINALLY INNERVATED .

Approximately, 67%–91% of patients with head and neck cancer have relatively high prevalence of pain.[1,2] About 80%–90% of cancer pain can be eliminated by pharmacological method according to the WHO Analgesic Ladder, but nearly half of all these patients receive less than optimum care[1] and require intervention for their pain management.[3] THIS HOPEFULLY WILL IMPROVE WITH ADDITION OF SPHENOPALATINE GANGLION BLOCKS TO TREATMENT REGIMENS. I STRONGLY SUGGEST THAT THE WHO ANALGESIC LADDER SHOULD BE RECONSIDERED FOR HEAD AND NECK PAIN TO ADD SPG BLOCKS AS A FIRST LINE TREATMENT.

Sphenopalatine block[6,16] alone or as an adjuvant has been utilized by many authors for management of wide varieties of orofacial pain such as Sluder’s neuralgia, trigeminal neuralgia, cluster headache, migraine, complex regional pain syndrome of head and neck and pain due to advanced malignancy of head and neck. Saade and Paige,[14] Varghese and Koshy,[9] and Prasanna A[15] have reported its role in immediate pain relief in head and neck cancer pain management. T AND WHY THEY ARE SOMETIMES REFERRED TO AS THE “MIRACLE BLOCK”HESE ARE THE EXACT PATIENTS THAT NEUROMUSCULAR DENTISTS ADDRESS. THAT IS WHY I HAVE MADE IT MY PERSONAL MISSION TO MAKE THEM COMFORTABLE WITH USING THESE BLOCKS. THESE ARE THE SAME BLOCKS UTILIZED BY DR MILTON REDER AND DISCUSSED IN THE BOOK “MIRACLES ON PARK AVENUE”

For sphenopalatine block, various techniques,[6] superficial to highly invasive have been described such as transnasal, endoscope-guided transnasal, intraoral and infrazygomatic lateral approach. THE INTRA-ORAL APPROACH TO SPG BLOCKS IS ANYTHING BUT HIGHLY INVASIVE OR DANGEROUS. PALTAL ANESTHESIN IS ROUTINE IN ALL FIELDS OF DENTISTRY AND INJECTION THRU THE GREATER PALATINE FORAMEN IS A RELATIVELY ROUTINE PROCEDURE. IT MAY ACTUALLY BE WHY MANY PATIENTS FEEL BETTER AFTER THIRD MOLAR EXTRACTION. RELIEF IS FROM SPG BLOCK NOT THE SURGICAL PROCEDURE. SPGB by transnasal approach[6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15] is a very easy and safe method of pain relief.[16] Cotton tipped applicator dipped in topical anesthetic agent is placed on nasopharyngeal mucosa posterior to middle turbinate in the conventional method.[13] Several modifications of transnasal technique have been published which includes Mingi’s modification[7] of technique using an intratracheal cannula. Intranasal device such as Sphenocath,[11] Allevio,[12] and have been used to block the ganglion. Windsor and Jahnke[8] and Cady et al.[10] have modified the techniques to minimize drug requirement. I FIRMLY BELIEVE THAT THE COTTON TIPPED NASAL CATHETER THAT GIVES SLOW CONTROLLED RELEASE OF ANESTHETIC BY CAPILLARY ACTION TO THE MUCOSA OVER THE MEDIAL ANTERIOR WALL OF THE PTERYGOPALATINE FOSSA TO INFILTRATE THROUGH THE MUCOSA TO THE SPHENOPALATINE GANGLION IS THE BEST APPROACH FOR THE MAJORITY OF PATIENTS. I WOULD LOVE TO WORK WITH INSURANCE COMPANIES TO DEVELOP PROTOCOLS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF PATIENTS LIVES AND DRASTICALLY REDUCE COSTS AND USE OF OPIODS. THIS IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT DURING OUR CURRENT OPIOD CRISIS. We used sterile cotton swab stick or sterile ear bud instead of a cotton-tipped applicator. It makes the procedure more easy, safe, and cost-effective so that caretaker can perform it at home.

Various agents,[6] for example, local anesthetic such as 4% cocaine, 2%–4% lignocaine,[7,13,11] or 0.5% bupivacaine,[7,8] depot steroids and neurolytic agent[9] had been tried for SPGB. An injection of neurolytic agent is not always easy and safe, without the use of an endoscope. Repeated use of steroid has its own complications. Cady et al.[10] used 0.5% bupivacaine, 0.3 ml while We used 0.5% injection bupivacaine 2 ml in each nostril. WHEN I FIRST LEARNED THE PROCEDURE I UTILIZED 4% COCAINE SOLUTION BUT RESTRICTIONS ON THE USE OF COCAINE RULE THAT OUT FOR SELF ADMINISTRATION THOUGH IT IS PROBABLE THE INITIAL DRUG OD CHOICE IN THE ER FOR THE MOST SEVERE PAIN. LIDOCAIINE AND BUPIVICAINE DO NOT PASS THRU MUCOUS MEMBRANES AS FAST. HISTORICALY, COCAINE WAS THE FIRST ORIGINAL DANTAL ANESTHETIC.

Cancer is a dynamic process in which as the disease progresses; one can never get optimal pain relief with time. Furthermore, it requires a different treatment plan as time passes an increase in opioids requirement and needs to the repetition of the procedure frequently. The use of local anesthetic agent provides excellent immediate pain relief but only temporary in nature. THIS IS AN EXCELLENT REASON TO INCREASE THE FREQUENCY OF DELIVERY AND TO UTILIZE CONTINUAL FEED TECHNIQUES AS OPPOSED TO EPISODTIC DELIVERY. Varghese and Koshy[9] used 6% phenol for transnasal block under endoscopic guidance in 22 patients. He found immediate pain relief was good but had to repeat the procedure in four patients. Prasanna and Morphy[15] also found good immediate pain relief. In our study, immediate pain relief was excellent in all the patients, but the rate of repetition of the procedure greatly varied between every alternate day to 7 days. INCREASING FREQUENCY OF DELIVERY IS A FAR MORE LOGICAL APPROACH RATHER THAN INCREASING TOXICITY OF AGENTS UTILIZED.

Our additional observations were SPGB caused mood elevation, relieved insomnia in all patients; patients were able to swallow without pain which helped in the improvement of food intake. Schaffer et al.[17] utilized SPGB for the management of an acute headache in the emergency department and he found that along with a headache it also controls nausea. THIS ONE ADDITIONAL OBSERVATION SHOULD BE SHOUTED FROM THE MOUNTAIN TOPS! MOOD ELEVATION, ASK ANY FAMILY MEMBER OF A CANCER SUFFERER IF THEY WANT TO SEE THIS IN THEIR LOVED ONES. RELIEF OF INSOMNIA WHICH IS AN INCREDIBLE IMPORTANT BOTH FOR IMPROVING HEALTH OF PATIENTS AND FOR THE PATIENTS QUALITY OF LIFE. INSULIN RESISTANCE, INFLAMMATION, METABOLISM AND MYOFASCIAL CONDITIONS ARE ALL IMPROVED WITH IMPROVED SLEEP. THE ABILITY TO SWALLOW WITHOUT PAIN AND ENJOY EATING AGAIN IS CRITICAL TO QUALITY OF LIFE.

I LOST MY WIFE ELISE TO STAGE 4 OVARIAN CANCER BUT THROUGHOUT HER 10 YEARS OF CANCER TREATMENTS SHE UTILIZED SPG BLOCKS TO DRAMTICALLY INCREASE HER QUALITY OF LIFE AND THE REDUCTION IN ANXIETY WAS PROBABLY THE MOST INCREDIBLE EFFECTS OF THE SPG BLOCKS.

MY WIFE ANNA FELL ON HER TAILBONE AND WAS SUFFERING SEVERE LOW BACK PAIN THAT IS SUBSTANTIALLY ELIMINATED AFTER DOING SELF ADMINISTERED SPG BLOCKS. SHE ALSO RECEIVES RELIEF FOR SHOULDER PAIN FROM A SEPERATE INJURY.

The top four symptoms[18] (2014) in head and neck cancer are pain, insomnia, loss of appetite and fatigue. SPGB provides analgesia and adequate sleep. The aim of cancer pain management in palliative care is to relieve pain with less adverse effects thereby improving the quality of life of patients.[1,2,3] AMAZING, THE SPG BLOCK ADDRESSES ALL FOUR OF TOP SYMPTOMS IN HEAD AND NECK CANCER PAIN.

SPGB using local anesthetic agent have no serious side effects except temporary bitter taste, temporary difficulty in breathing and swallowing, lightheadedness, and sometimes epistaxis.[3,4,5,6,7] One of our patients had vasovagal response, in whom the procedure was abandoned. Three patients had temporary difficulty in swallowing. Bitter taste was complained by almost all patients. ALL OF THESE SIFDE EFFECTS ARE MINIMAL AND SHOULD NOT PREVENT UTILIZATION OF SPG BLOCKS IN ANTY PATIENT. A NEW ARTICLE IN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CARDIOLOGY SHOWS HOW SPG BLOCKS CAN DECREASE OR ELIMINATE ESSENTION HYPERTENSION IN NEWWLY DIAGNOSED PATIENTS. IT IS LIKELY THE VASOVAGAL EFFECT WAS PRIMARILY

According to the American Institute of Medicine[19] (2011) and American Pain Society[20] (2005) psychological interventions such as patient’s education, communication, and involvement of caretaker in management reduce psychological distress while improving the quality of life of cancer patients.[1] The home-based application of SPGB improves both patients’ and caretakers’ confidence in managing difficult situations. EVEN MORE IMPORTANT IS THE DIRECT EFFECT OF THE SPG BLOCK ON CONDITIONS LIKE ANXIETY. THE FEELINGS OF GIDDINESS ARE SOMETHING THAT PATIENTS IN PAIN LOSE. PAIN IS EXPERIENCED IN THE LIMBIC SYSTEM WHERE WE EXPERIENCE EMOTIONS. PAIN IS A EXTREMELY NEGATIVE EMOTION, THE RELIEF OF PAIN AND ANXIETY LETS THESE PATIENTS ENJOY MORE POSITIVE EMOTIONAL ASPECTS OF LIFE. MASLOW IN HIS HEIRARCHY OF PATIENTS NEEDS WHICH ARE REPRESENTED BY THE PYRAMID OF HUMAN NEEDS. THE PYRAMID DEPICTS BASIC PHYSIOLOGIC NEES AS THE BASE BUT MASLOW FEL THAT THE ENTIRE PYRAMIDS FOUNDATION WAS FREEDOM FROM PAIN.

Saade and Paige[14] utilized the same method, i.e., self-administration of SPGB in patients with lethal midline granuloma requiring high dose of morphine. He taught patients to administer 4% lignocaine 1.5 ml into each nostril three times a day as well as to follow-up after 3 months. There was a substantial pain relief and reduction of morphine dose without any complication.

THIS STUDY WAS SMALL BUT SHOWED THEDRAMATIC RELIEF AND A REDUCTION IN MORPHINE DOSAGE AND REDUCTION OF ASSOCIATED SYMPTOMS. With 6% aqueous phenol, Varghese, and Koshy[9] could stop analgesics in two patients and adjuvant in eight patients but only for 1 week. In our study, all our patients were already on oral morphine immediate release, having partial pain relief. Their morphine requirement did not change significantly.

Eighty-eight patients were able to perform the procedure easily at home. All had optimum control of pain while their morphine requirements either remained stable or increased.

Conclusion IS EXCELLENT PAIN RELIEF!!!!

Home-based application of SPGB is an easy, safe, and cost-effective method of management of acute, chronic, and breakthrough pain. It provides excellent immediate pain relief with a minimum side effect. It can be performed bilaterally, repeatedly and even with a feeding tube in place. It can be taught to caregivers so that it can be performed safely as well as effectively at home. Home-based application of SPGB with local anesthetic agent will fulfill the aim of palliation and symptoms management at home. It will eliminate frequent visits to hospitals or doctors.

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